CONTENTS • World Wetlands Day 2013 Celebration Hosted • Working For Wetlands Loses A Contractor By • Earth Hour 2013 • Eco Poetry • Contact Us • Provincial WWD 2013 Events In Pictures

WORLD WETLANDS DAY 2013 CELEBRATION HOSTED BY EASTERN CAPE

scientists, politicians, public servants from all sec- tors of government, teachers, schoolchildren, Work- ing for Wetlands and Working for Water workers and the communities of Kareedouw and all gathered at the Kagiso Hall, which was packed to capacity.

The national Departments of Environmental Af- fairs (DEA), Water Affairs (DWA), Agriculture, For- estry and Fisheries (DAFF), the Water Research Commission (WRC), Expanded Public Works Pro- gramme (EPWP), South African National Biodiver- The annual commemoration of the signing of the sity Institute (SANBI) and Working for Wetlands, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 42 years ago has, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in , moved from formal presentations (NMBM), Koukamma and Cacadu Municipalities, to an engaging and interactive event. The impor- Gamtoos Irrigation Board and the Eastern Cape tance of wetlands is no longer preached over and Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and over to the same circles of the already converted Tourism (DEAET) put their efforts together to en- wetland specialists. Nowadays the event, which sure this event was a success. moves from province to province depending on the theme, brings together the diverse communities of The theme for this year’s WWD was ‘Wetlands and the country to celebrate these powerful examples Water Management’ and the focus of the event was of ‘ecological infrastructure’, which provide a range on highlighting the interdependence between water of benefi ts and livelihoods for South Africans from and wetlands. This provided an opportunity to em- all walks of life. The event also provides an oppor- phasise the role that wetlands, as natural equiva- tunity to challenge, discuss and share ideas in an lents of built infrastructure, can play in supporting open and safe platform with leaders and politicians the management of our limited water resources. to ensure that these ecosystem-based services are sustainable. CHURCHILL DAM AND KROM RIVER The event began with a visit to the Churchill Dam This year’s event was held in Kareedouw, two hours and Krom River, which supply 40% of the water away from , within the Koukamma used by the NMBM. The NMBM offi cials gave back- Municipality on 1 February 2013. Hundreds of del- ground to the building of the dam and a presentation egates attending the 2013 World Wetlands Day on the water infrastructure. The dam has a water (WWD) event descended on the Kagiso Hall, led purifi cation plant that still relies on the technology by the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental which was installed in 1949 to effectively remove Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi. Wetland experts, silt, undesirable chemicals and biological contami- were lost over the last century. Despite the loss of nants to ensure that treated water is safe for human many of its wetlands, the Krom River still contains consumption. several extensive peat deposits, which continue to contribute to the improvement of water quality, at- This plant receives water from the Krom River tenuation of fl oods and maintenance of fl ow in the catchment which previously contained some of the river. largest wetlands of their type (palmiet dominated wetlands on deep peat basin) in South Africa. How- Fortunately, the Krom River catchment has been ever, as a result of infestation by alien vegetation the subject of extensive wetland rehabilitation by such as black wattle, poorly designed roads through Working for Wetlands and invasive alien plant con- the river, and farming activities in the fl oodplain, this trol by Working for Water since 2001. Working for wetland system has undergone severe degradation Wetlands rehabilitation structures are designed to over the last 70 years. trap some of the massive amounts of sediment that move in pulses down the system every time there is Continuous illegal interference with the catchment a fl ood. These activities have improved the quantity by livestock farmers and the disturbance of the and quality of water fl owing into the dam, while help- fl oodplains has further caused major degradation of ing to protect the dam’s infrastructure from fl oods this system. During recent years, a couple of ripari- and further sedimentation. Currently the savings for an landowners also channelised the river using bull- chemicals between the dirty and clean (raw water) dozers, causing the river to incise further. This has is estimated at R300 000 per month, depending on resulted in water fl owing down the river with unnatu- the raw water quality. rally large amounts of sediment, which has caused diffi culties for the purifying plant downstream. There is still a long way to go before the system fully recovers. Once good wetland vegetation is As a result of these impacts, it is estimated that established behind these structures, they will also about 60% of the system’s valley fl oor peat basins function as fi lters for the fi ner sediments that are transported by the river. There is no doubt that the effect of Working for Wetlands rehabilitation struc- tures when measured over a long period of time will display a high return on investment, in the process demonstrating the value of our ecological infrastruc- ture. KAGISO HALL—FORMAL EVENT The New Growth Path Framework, which sets a target of 5 million new jobs to be created by 2020, remains an active reality that will leave thousands of people empowered. Proper management of our ecosystems is a competitive edge in growing our economy. Natural Resource Management Pro- grammes like Working for Wetlands and Working for Water, through wetland rehabilitation and the reduction of invasive alien plants, have not only en- sured that water is conserved and better managed, educating children about environmental issues. She but have also created thousands of green jobs in cautioned against the notion that children must only natural resource management. be educated at school about environmental issues and stressed that the indigenous knowledge of our In her speech, Ms Mabudafhasi reminded every- parents is very important. “We must acknowledge one of our responsibility in ensuring that wetlands this indigenous knowledge which conserved our do not perish. She made specifi c reference to the wetlands even in the olden days. Let’s not keep the success of the Working for Wetlands Programme’s knowledge to ourselves. Let’s educate others. Let’s rehabilitation interventions in the Krom River, which not do it to earn money but to ensure that we take she had witnessed during the morning site visit. care of the wetlands and the environment.” She mentioned how the dramatic and most serious fl oods since 1938 took place in 2006 in the southern In conclusion Ms Mabudafhasi said, “We are also in Cape and resulted in heavy loss of life, property and a process of establishing the Kromme River Catch- severe degradation to the system. Palmiet lived up ment Forum that will be composed of all stake- to its reputation as the ‘superglue of wetlands in the holders and contribute towards responsible man- Cape’, slowing the velocity and destructive poten- agement of this catchment. Let’s work together to tial of the fl oodwaters and trapping sediment. The secure our wetlands for the sake of biodiversity and Working for Wetlands structures accomplished their water management. Failure to do so will retard our purpose and the two main wetland basins emerged development as our people will not have access to from the fl oods largely unscathed. water, will result in food insecurity, as farmers will Ms Mabudafhasi, then challenged the Kareedouw not be able to produce food, our ecosystems will not people to take advantage of this competitive edge survive, and our tourism will also be affected.” by emulating the Makuleke community in Limpopo, Quoting the late Professor Wangari Mathai, an en- which is actively involved in wetlands preservation and protection. “The Makuleke wetlands were de- vironmental activist and 2004 Nobel Prize Laureate, clared a Ramsar site in 2007, and this is the only she said, “‘I have seen rivers that were brown with Ramsar site owned and co-managed by the com- silt become clean-fl owing again. The job is hardly munity in South Africa,” she said. over, but it no longer seems impossible.’ We are also going to follow suit, make sure we clean our riv- Ms Mabudafhasi made sure that the public under- ers and wetlands so that healthy water fl ows again stands the importance of indigenous knowledge in with fi sh.”

ECO POETRY

was spared. They challenged our individual carbon footprint, unhealthy habits of dumping in wetlands, polluting the same water that we drink causing dis- eases. This is a good indication that Mrs Xoliswa Mambalu and Mrs Phumeza Ngcongca, who are the environmental teachers of these learners and writ- ers of this poem, are on the right track of success- fully fulfi lling DWA’s 2020 Vision Programme which uses education as a critical response to achieving behavioural change to issues of water literacy and careers. This programme exposes learners from Grade R to 12 to various ways to address water problems in their communities.

A SNIPPET FROM THE ECO-POEM Those that had missed some of Ms Mabudafhasi’s Wash your hands! speech were brought up to speed when three Dum- Is it a plea or a force? ani Primary School learners, Asthandile Bonakele, Is it a right or a responsibility? Asemahle Ntabeni and Xoliswa Olifant from Show Yes, it’s a RESPONSIBILITY! Village in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth, enthusiasti- Your hands, yes your hands must be WASHED. cally recited their eco-poem with a strong message against the degradation of the environment, espe- Talking about hands to be washed. What do you cially our water sources. No one in the audience use? Oh yes, WATER, Yes soapy WATER, (God created water for you and I) Amanzi, angqonge ngqonge, ndini kaqubule gqitha Nqu nezilwanyana ade abe likhaya kuzo (and Wena ujikeleza umhlaba wonke nqu nesibhakab- animals too) haka (globe-trotting) Wena ubengezela ubukekayo (looking all bright) I am worried! Oh, so concerned about you! Wena ukucoceka de ingathi uyiglasi (looking bright Messing in the river, You forgot that we said WA- and shiny like a glass) TER IS LIFE. Utsho ngesandi esimnandIa udlula (your car mak- ing a lovely sound as you drive by) Ucoceko x3, (be clean) Umntu azibuke nge usisipili (you are a …to look at) Umdali wawo uwenzele ukuphila kwam’ nawe Uqoqosho x3, (be economical)

PROVINCIAL WWD 2013 EVENTS IN PICTURES

Those that could not make it to the national event the Namaqua National Park. A treasure hunt was were able to share in the month’s excitement by cel- held and the teams played a game with the similar ebrating this eventful date in their provinces. The principles as ‘snakes and ladders’ where a dice is following pictures tell a story of an educational and thrown and the number that the team lands on is fun-fi lled day. the card number that they need to ‘hunt’. The cards were hidden all over the ‘wetlands area’ and teams NORTHERN CAPE had to retrieve the cards numerically. The cards had World Wetlands Day 2013 was pleasantly celebrat- questions on wetlands. The treasure hunt was won ed on 1 February at the Witsand wetland in Kamies- by the Kamieskroon contractor Andrew Brandt’s berg. The event was organised by DEA, Working for team. Each team member received a branded book Water, the Department of Nature Conservation and bag.

Priscilla Magerman, P&C Namaqua demonstrating the treasure Ayandanda Mtshizana from DEA congratulates the treasure hunt game to the teams hunt winners’ team

This was followed by an entertaining poem competi- as a topic, paragraphs and lines, rhymes, amount tion. The teams had to each write a poem consisting of presenters/participators, body language, facial of 2 paragraphs (8 lines) and had to incorporate the expressions, props, speech and clarity. Working for theme of the day. They were allowed to use vari- Wetlands contractor Michael Smit’s team wrote the ous props (rocks, water bottles, branches, etc.) and winning poem and received DEA branded cricket they were scored on the following: theme, wetlands hats and book bags. Teams sitting at Witsand wetland rehab site

Ayanda Mtshizana from DEA with the poem winners’ team

WESTERN CAPE The Wetlands Forum, Table Moun- tain National Park and Working for Wetlands or- ganised their provincial celebration at Silvermine Dam on 2 February. The day’s proceedings in- volved a 6 km walk around the Silvermine River Catchment. FREE STATE The Free State and Northern Cape Wetland Fo- rum, SANBI, DETEA FS, Map Water, SANParks, CWR, DAFF and DWA hosted the provincial event at Vulindlela Primary School in Harrismith on 18 February. GAUTENG The Gauteng Provincial event took place on 21 Feb- ruary at the O.R. Tambo Memorial Precinct in Watt- ville, Ekurhuleni, on the East Rand. The event was hosted by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. KWAZULU-NATAL Umgeni Water organised the celebration which was held in KwaNyuswa (Bothas Hill) on 20 February. The day began with a wetland clean-up that took place in the morning and the main event, which was attended by Ethekwini Municipality, the Department of Agriculture & Environmental Affairs, Department of Water Affairs, SANBI, KZN Wildlife, Local Gov- ernment (Local Ward Councillor), educators from surrounding schools and learners. The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Project celebrated WWD on 1 March at Entabeni Education Centre in Hlatikulu. The Maputaland Project celebrated WWD on 4 Feb- ruary at kwaGiba Community Hall, in Mnqobokazi, Mkhuze. NORTH-WEST The North-West provincial celebration took place at Mathopestad, near the town of Boons. Anoth- er event was held at the Tlokwe Local Council in Potchefstroom. MPUMALANGA Working for Wetlands teamed up with the Endan- gered Wildlife Trust and the Highveld project and organised an event at Chrissiesmeer. LIMPOPO The provincial event took place at Modimolle. EASTERN CAPE The Eastern Cape Provincial WWD celebrations took place at Mount Fletcher on 14 February.

WORKING FOR WETLANDS LOSES A CONTRACTOR

The Working for Wetlands Programme is sad to an- profi le of a leader based on her fi rmness and hard- nounce yet another passing of a dedicated wetland working abilities. In 2006 when one of our contrac- rehabilitation worker, Mantsho Johanna Mojolwane tors could not continue to work with us, the Project (40). Mojolwane, who grew up in the Brakkuil Vil- Advisory Committee and the company interviewed lage, joined the programme as a general worker those who were interested in the position and Mant- with one of the programme’s implementers in the sho became the favourite of the panel.” North-West Province, Rainbow Moon Trading, in May 2003. She was involved in the rehabilitation Mojolwane started as a contractor in September work that was done at Boitekong Sewerage, Kedar 2006 and ‘her stride to succeed in her job abilities Lodge, Kgaswane Nature Reserve, Kanana Village escalated’. “She became part of this programme and at the time of her passing she was working family and fi tted in so well to a point that it’s so dif- at Maanhaarrand Paul Kruger Farm. She passed fi cult to say she is gone. She will be sorely missed away while she was busy arranging her brother’s by the North-West teams,” said Chabedi. This was funeral and was buried on the same day as him. displayed by the support of her former colleagues Emily Chabedi, director of Rainbow Moon Trading, and employees who came to bid their last farewell described her as a very quiet but attentive person over the weekend. May her soul rest in peace. Her at work. “I realised her potential and in 2005 I ap- contribution to the rehabilitation of wetlands will not pointed her to a supervisor position as she fi tted the be forgotten. EARTH HOUR 2013

Date: Saturday, 23 March 2013 energy supply into the future. Let’s embrace the Time: 20:30 power of nature, let’s switch off and switch over to Venue: Global healthy and sustainable habits.

Let us join in the symbolic act of global unity and Let’s spread the word, mobilise as many people switch off our lights for an hour for the seventh an- as we can and get creative. WWF-SA encourages nual Earth Hour. This initiative, by the World Wild- everyone to celebrate Earth Hour, whether out and life Fund, is an opportunity for all of us to come to- about or at home: maybe a braai with friends, a can- gether to celebrate, refl ect on our actions and our dlelit dinner with a loved one or hosting a neigh- impact on the environment, and make a renewed bourhood stargazing picnic? Check the WWF web- commitment to preserving our planet. As a global community we are currently using the equivalent of site for ‘Things to do in the dark’: 1.5 times the planet’s natural resources to support http://www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/earth_hour/ our consumption patterns and this has to change. This website also has plenty of ideas for how busi- When you switch off your lights, heater, plugs, stove, ness, schools, universities, accommodation, res- etc. you are supporting a plight to save the planet, taurants and clubs, among others, can get involved conserve the environment and ensure sustainable in Earth Hour.

Working for Wetlands champions the protection, rehabilitation and sustainable use of South Africa’s wetlands through co-operative governance and partnership. The programme is managed by the South African National Biodiversity Institute on behalf of the departments of Environmental Affairs, Water Affairs and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and forms part of government’s Expanded Public Works programme.

WORKING FOR WETLANDS, SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE

Tel (+27) 012 843 5225 Fax (+27) 012 843 5205 Private Bag X101, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa http://wetlands.sanbi.org/wfwet/ E-mail: [email protected] Design and layout by SANBI Publishing. March 2013.